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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 7, 2023 09:42 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Brad Roae |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Youth Gender Changes and the Developing Brain |
| Research shows that the brain continues to develop and grow well into a person’s 20s, and adolescence ends after age 24. Neuroscience shows that developing brains function at a different level than fully developed adult brains, and the part of the brain that is responsible for planning, considering consequences, and making decisions is not matured until a person has completed late adolescence. Adolescents are less capable of making thoughtful decisions, are more likely to make impulsive decisions and be influenced by peer pressure than when they are older. Our irreversible gender changing surgery and puberty blocker medication system must consider the lack of youth social-emotional and cognitive control so that adolescents can face permanent and irreversible gender changes that are appropriate for their age and development. The legislation would address a one-size-fits-all approach to permanent irreversible gender change decisions by simply considering an adolescent’s mental capacity, maturity, and ongoing brain development at the time that a minor child wants a permanent irreversible gender change. Permanent and irreversible gender change surgery and puberty blockers would be banned for minors under 18 years of age. As elected officials, we must ensure our youth, including juveniles and adolescents, are treated fairly. Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense legislation to protect minors. |
Introduced as HB2421